Ningbo-Huanggang partnership: Two Chinese regions join forces to turn humble loofah plants into premium global products

A loofah plant may not look like much. But processing can transform it into a premium bath or kitchen cleaning product selling for more than 10 dollars apiece. Behind that transformation is a partnership between two Chinese regions, one with land and labor, the other with technology and markets. CGTN's Yu Bokun reports from Huangmei.

I have one of these at home. But before it becomes a bath sponge, it starts –

YU BOKUN Huangmei, Hubei Province "Right here in Huangmei County. You'll find vast stretches of farmland dedicated to growing loofahs."

Here in the village, farmers are busy harvesting mature loofahs from the fields, getting them ready for the next stage of processing.

I decided to join them and see how it's done.

"This one?"

"This loofah is ready for picking."

"See this one? This side has turned yellow."

"Just snap it off from the bottom."

"Then the insides are hollow."

"That makes it easier for the water to get in when we soak it."

I tried picking a few myself.

"This one is a little lighter."

"This one is lighter."

He used to grow soybeans. Now, by growing loofahs, he earns around 400 dollars a month.

GAO XIAOHONG Farmer "Compared with soybeans, it does take a little more work. But the returns are higher."

These loofahs aren't meant for the dinner table, they're grown for their natural fiber which is used in making cleaning and bath products.

Before becoming finished goods, they're soaked, peeled and sun-dried.

YU BOKUN Huangmei, Hubei Province "I am putting on my boots to join the farmers in peeling the loofahs."

These loofahs have been soaking for about three days. Now I'm going to beat them against the ground to get the outer layer off.

"Beat it hard, right?"

"This is fun."

"Put them in the water and give them a wash."

"You're gonna wash off the green stuff on those loofahs."

"OK. My work."

YU BOKUN Huangmei, Hubei Province "These loofahs as raw crops can sell for about 20 yuan per kilo or about 3 dollars per kilo. But after they are made into kitchen and bath products, the prices can jump five times."

In other words, it's no longer just an agricultural product, it's becoming a consumer goods.

YU BOKUN Huangmei, Hubei Province "So how does a simple loofah become a much more valuable product? It takes more than a farm. It takes technology, processing and also access to global markets. And that's where Ningbo comes in."

While Huangmei has the land and labor, Ningbo, on China's eastern coast has the know-how and the markets. The two regions have been working together for three years.

GE LINAN Deputy Director Huanggang Municipal Development and Reform Commission "We want to keep research and development, design, marketing and sales channels in Ningbo. Production and processing will be done here. It's a 'front shop, back factory' model that allows both sides to play to their strengths."

The project is led by Sheng, a Huangmei native who has worked in Ningbo for years.

SHENG JIANGBING President, Hubei Baosheng Loofah Fiber Industry Co. "Our products are mainly exported to Europe, Japan and the ROK. We currently have about 1,300 mu (87 hectares) of loofah farmland here in Huangmei. We plan to expand that to around 4,000 to 5,000 mu (267–333 hectares) in the future."

From a loofah in Huangmei fields to a product sold worldwide, it's more than a crop. It's a supply chain linking land, technology and global markets.